Method of anonymously reporting minimization of drive test measurements

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method of anonymously reporting minimization of drive test (MDT) measurements. According to the method, a mobility management entity (MME) obtains MDT data anonymity configuration which indicates whether MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at a type allocation code (TAC) level; sends a TAC of a UE to a trace collection entity (TCE) if the MDT data anonymity configuration indicates MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at the TAC level; sends an international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity and software version (IMEISV) of the UE to the TCE if the MDT data anonymity configuration indicates other information, e.g. Trace, is adopted for anonymously reporting MDT measurements. The present invention enables an MME to send different identities of a UE to the TCE according to different requirements for anonymity to implement anonymous reporting of MDT measurements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/819,136 filed Aug. 5, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/348,861 filed Mar. 31, 2014, which isrelated to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §365 to InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/KR2012/007966 filed Sep. 28, 2012 entitled“METHOD OF ANONYMOUSLY REPORTING MINIMIZATION OF DRIVE TESTMEASUREMENTS” and, through International Patent Application No.PCT/KR2012/007966, to Chinese Patent Application No. 201110304850.7filed Sep. 29, 2011 and Chinese Patent Application No. 201110379620.7filed Nov. 10, 2011 which are incorporated herein by reference into thepresent disclosure as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wireless communications, andparticularly, to a method of anonymously reporting minimization of drivetest (MDT) measurements.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a system structure of a systemarchitecture evolution (SAE). Wherein:

user equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device for receiving data. Evolveduniversal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a wirelessaccess network which includes eNodeB/NodeB for providing UEs withinterfaces for accessing the wireless network. Mobility managemententity (MME) 103 is for managing mobility context, session context andsecurity information of UEs. Serving gateway (SGW) 104 is mainly forproviding user plain functions. MME 103 and SGW 104 may reside in thesame physical entity. Packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW) is forimplementing functions including accounting, lawful interception and soon, and may reside in the same physical entity with SGW 104. Policy andcharging rule functions (PCRF) 106 provides Quality of Service (QoS)policies and charging rules. Serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 108 is anetwork node device providing routing for data transmission in theUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Home SubscriberServer (HSS) 109 is a home sub system of UEs, is for maintaining userinformation including current location, the address of the serving node,user security information, packet data context of a UE.

Minimization of drive tests (MDT) is measurement information transmittedin the control plain for reducing workload of manual tests. MDTmeasurements include real time measurements and non-real timemeasurements. Configuration of the measurements is configured in anaccess network controlling system (E-UTRAN or UTRAN) by a networkmanagement system, and is sent by the access network controlling systemto the UEs via an RRC message. The UE sends its MDT measurement resultsto the E-UTRAN/UTRAN. A measurement report may include locationinformation and time information. The E-UTRAN/UTRAN sends themeasurement results to an MDT entity in the core network.

MDT can be divided into management-based MDT and signaling-based MDTaccording to the manner in which the MDT is initiated. Themanagement-based MDT refers to an MDT-activated message received by theE-UTRAN/UTRAN from a management entity, while the signaling-based MDTrefers to an MDT-activated message received by the E-UTRAN/UTRAN from anMME.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a structure of a management-basedMDT. In FIG. 2, 201 is an element management (EM) for sending a traceactivation request to network element 202. The trace activation requestmay include MDT configuration information and a trace reference (TR).

Network element 202 selects a UE for performing MDT, allocates a tracerecord session reference (TRSR), and sends a message which includes MDTconfiguration information, the TR and the TRSR to UE 203.

UE 203 performs MDT according to the MDT configuration information, andsends measurement results to the network element via an MDT report whena reporting condition is satisfied.

The network element sends a message which includes the TR and the TRSRto the MME. The MME obtains the international mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI) or the international mobile equipment identity andsoftware version (IMEISV) of the UE, and sends the IMSI/IMEISV to atrace collection entity (TCE).

Network element 202 stores an MDT record, and sends the MDT record, theTR and the TRSR to TCE 204 according to a pre-defined policy.

The TCE identifies the UE of the MDT record based on information sent bythe MME and information sent by the network element.

Initiation of the MDT makes use of a conventional Trace process, and isa special one of Trace functions. Taking the signaling process in theE-UTRAN as an example, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a signaling processof initiating a management-based MDT according to the prior art. Inblock 301, an MME sends an initial context establishing request whichincludes a user consent to the eNB in this block if a UE has establishedan RRC connection with an eNB in a conventional RRC establishing processbefore this block is performed; or the MME sends a handover requestwhich includes a user consent to the eNB in this block if the UE hasbeen handed over from a serving eNB to a target eNB before this block isperformed. Subsequent handover process is the same with the conventionalhandover process, and will not be described further herein. The userconsent indicates whether the UE is available for performing the MDT.The user consent belongs to subscription information of the UE, isstored in the HSS and is sent to the MME. After receiving the initialcontext establishing request or the handover request from the MME, theeNB stores the user consent if the request includes the user consent,and takes the user consent into consideration when selecting a UE forperforming MDT. In block 302, the EM sends a Trace activation request tothe eNB. The EM is a management element, and the Trace activationrequest may include MDT configuration information. The MDT configurationinformation may mainly include: MDT location selection condition,reporting scheme configuration, TR, the IP address of the TCE, a workmode and MDT data anonymity information and so on.

The work mode may be configured to be one of the following four modes:Immediate MDT only, Logged MDT only, Trace only and Immediate MDT andTrace. Wherein:

Immediate MDT only is a real time-type MDT, indicating the UE shouldperform MDT in a connection mode. Logged MDT only is a log-type MDT,indicating the UE obtains MDT configuration under the connection mode,performs MDT in the idle mode, and reports MDT measurement results whenreturning to the connection mode. Trace only indicates only tracing isperformed, and is not a type of MDT. Immediate MDT and Trace refers toboth real time MDT measurements and trace measurements are to beperformed.

The MDT location selection condition defines locations of UEs which canbe selected for performing MDT. The MDT location selection condition maybe configured as a coverage area of a cell, or a coverage area of a TypeAllocation Code (TAC), or a whole PLMN. UEs within the location rangecan be selected as UEs performing the MDT. A TR uniquely identifies anMDT process. In one MDT process, an eNB may select multiple users toperform the MDT.

In block 303, the eNB firstly selects UEs for performing the MDT afterreceiving the Trace activation request. When selecting UEs, the eNBneeds to take the user consent sent by the MME and the locationselection condition in the MDT configuration information intoconsideration. If the UE is not consent to performing MDT or if the UEdoes not meet the location selection condition, the UE can not beselected for performing MDT. After the UE is selected, the eNB allocatesa TRSR to the UE, and sends the MDT configuration information to the UE.The configuration information may include: a location selectioncondition, a reporting scheme configuration, the TR, the TRSR, and anidentifier of the IP address of the TCE. In block 304, after receivingthe MDT configuration information, the UE starts MDT functions accordingto the MDT configuration.

In block 305, after performing the MDT, the UE sends a MDT measurementreport to the eNB. In block 306, after receiving the MDT measurementreport from the UE, the eNB obtains the TR, the TRSR, the identifier ofthe IP address of the TCE and the measurement results from themeasurement report, obtains the IP address of the TCE based on theidentifier of the IP address of the TCE, sends a cell traffic tracemessage to the MME, wherein the relation which associates the IP addressof the TCE with the identifier of the IP address is stored in the eNB inadvance, the cell traffic trace message includes the TR, the TRSR, acell ID, and an S1 AP Id allocated for the UE by the eNB and the MME,and the IP address of the TCE. In block 307, after receiving the celltraffic trace message, the MME obtains context information of the UE,obtains the IMSI/IMEISV information, and sends to the TCE a messagewhich includes the IMSI/IMEISV of the UE, the TR and the TRSR. In block308, the eNB reports collected MDT measurements to the TCE.

In block 302, the MDT configuration information in the Trace activationrequest sent by the EM to the eNB may further include MDT data anonymityinformation. The MDT data anonymity information may be configured to betwo anonymity levels, i.e., TAC-level anonymity and full anonymity. WhenTAC-level anonymity is configured, the MME is required not to send theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE, but send the TAC information in the IMEI to theTCE instead. When full anonymity is configured, the eNB does not sendthe cell traffic trace to the MME, and the MME does not send anyidentification of the UE to the TCE.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In view of the foregoing, the MDT makes use of the Trace process. As forTrace, when an MME receives a cell traffic trace, the MME needs to sendthe IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE. At present, the cell traffic trace messageonly includes the TR, the TRSR, the cell ID, S1 AP Id allocated by theeNB and the MME for the UE, and the IP address of the TCE. Based on theabove information, the MME can not identify when to send the IMSI/IMEISVand when to send the TAC, thus anonymous reporting of MDT measurementscan not be implemented.

Solution to Problem

The present invention provides a method of anonymously reporting MDTmeasurements so that the MME is able to send different identificationsof a UE to the TCE according to different requirements for anonymity,therefore implements anonymous report of MDT measurements.

The method of anonymously reporting MDT measurements provided by anembodiment of the present invention may include:

obtaining, by a mobility management entity (MME), MDT data anonymityconfiguration which indicates whether a anonymization level of MDT datais a Type Allocation Code (TAC) level;

sending a TAC of a user equipment (UE) to a trace collection entity(TCE) if the MDT data anonymity configuration indicates theanonymization level of the MDT data is the TAC level; otherwise, sendingan international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) or aninternational mobile equipment identity and software version (IMEISV) ofthe UE to the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: an anonymityindicator.

Preferably, a function rule of the anonymity indicator comprises: atleast two of loading the anonymity indicator into a message forindicating the MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at theTAC level to make the MME send the TAC of the UE to the TCE; loading noanonymity indicator into the message for indicating MDT measurements arenot to be reported anonymously to make the MME sends the IMSI or theIMEISV of the UE to the TCE; and loading an anonymity indicatorindicating both identities are required into the message to make the MMEsend the TAC and the IMSI of the UE or the TAC and the IMEISV of the UEto the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: an MDT type.

Preferably, a function rule of the MDT type comprises:

loading an MDT type which value is Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT onlyinto a message for indicating the MDT measurements are to be anonymouslyreported at the TAC level to make the MME send the TAC of the UE to theTCE;

loading an MDT type which value is Immediate MDT and Trace into amessage; wherein when it is pre-configured that MDT has priority, themessage indicates the MDT measurements are to be anonymously reported atthe TAC level, and the MME sends the TAC of the UE to the TCE; when itis pre-configured that Trace has priority, the message indicates the MDTmeasurements are not reported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI orthe IMEISV to the TCE; or the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI of the UEor the TAC and the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE;

loading no MDT type into the message for indicating the MDT measurementsare not reported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI or the IMEISVto the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: MDTanonymity information and a work mode of the MDT measurement.

Preferably, a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configurationcomprises:

loading MDT anonymity information and a work mode which is set to beImmediate MDT only or Logged MDT only into a message for indicating theMDT measurements are to be anonymously reported at the TAC level to makethe MME send the TAC of the UE to the TCE;

loading the MDT anonymity information and a work mode which is set to beImmediate MDT and Trace into a message; wherein when it ispre-configured that MDT has priority, the message indicates the MDTmeasurements are to be anonymously reported at the TAC level, and theMME sends the TAC of the UE to the TCE; when it is pre-configured thatTrace has priority, the message indicates the MDT measurements are notreported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI or the IMEISV to theTCE; or the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI of the UE or the TAC and theIMEISV of the UE to the TCE;

loading no MDT anonymity information or loading a work mode which is setto be Trace only into the message for indicating the MDT measurementsare not reported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI or the IMEISVto the TCE.

Preferably, a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configurationcomprises:

loading MDT anonymity information whose value indicates anonymity and awork mode which is set to be Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT only intoa message for indicating the MDT measurements are to be anonymouslyreported at the TAC level to make the MME send the TAC of the UE to theTCE;

loading MDT anonymity information whose value indicates anonymity and awork mode which is set to be Immediate MDT and Trace into a message;wherein when it is pre-configured that MDT has priority, the messageindicates the MDT measurements are to be anonymously reported at the TAClevel, and the MME sends the TAC of the UE to the TCE; when it ispre-configured that Trace has priority, the message indicates the MDTmeasurements are not reported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI orthe IMEISV to the TCE; or the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI of the UEor the TAC and the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE;

loading MDT anonymity information whose value indicates no anonymity orloading a work mode which is set to be Trace only into the message forindicating the MDT measurements are not reported anonymously, and theMME sends the IMSI or the IMEISV to the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: MDTanonymity information and an MDT type.

Preferably, a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configurationcomprises:

loading MDT anonymity information and an MDT type which is set to beImmediate MDT only or Logged MDT only into a message for indicating theMDT measurements are to be anonymously reported at the TAC level to makethe MME send the TAC of the UE to the TCE;

loading the MDT anonymity information and an MDT type which is set to beImmediate MDT and Trace into a message; wherein when it ispre-configured that MDT has priority, the message indicates the MDTmeasurements are to be anonymously reported at the TAC level, and theMME sends the TAC of the UE to the TCE; when it is pre-configured thatTrace has priority, the message indicates the MDT measurements are notreported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI or the IMEISV to theTCE; or the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI of the UE or the TAC and theIMEISV of the UE to the TCE;

loading no MDT anonymity information into the message for indicating theMDT measurements are not reported anonymously.

Preferably, a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configurationcomprises:

loading MDT anonymity information whose value indicates anonymity and anMDT type which is set to be Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT only into amessage for indicating the MDT measurements are to be anonymouslyreported at the TAC level to make the MME send the TAC of the UE to theTCE;

loading the MDT anonymity information whose value indicates anonymityand an MDT type which is set to be Immediate MDT and Trace into amessage; wherein when it is pre-configured that MDT has priority, themessage indicates the MDT measurements are to be anonymously reported atthe TAC level, and the MME sends the TAC of the UE to the TCE; when itis pre-configured that Trace has priority, the message indicates the MDTmeasurements are not reported anonymously, and the MME sends the IMSI orthe IMEISV to the TCE; or the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI of the UEor the TAC and the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE;

loading MDT anonymity information whose value indicates no anonymity orloading an MDT type which is set to be Trace only into the message forindicating the MDT measurements are not reported anonymously, and theMME sends the IMSI or the IMEISV to the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration is obtained from a celltraffic trace message sent by a base station.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration is obtained from amessage sent by an element management (EM), wherein the message furthercomprises a trace reference (TR).

Preferably, a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configurationcomprises: determining the MDT measurements are to be reportedanonymously at the TAC level when receiving a pre-configured MDT dataanonymity indication message from an EM, the MME sending the TAC of theUE to the TCE; determining the MDT measurements are no to be reportedanonymously when receiving no MDT data anonymity indication message fromthe EM, the MME sending the IMSI or the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: a TR whichis obtained from a message sent by an EM;

the method further comprises: obtaining, by the MME, a TR range withinwhich anonymity is required from a message sent by an EM and/or a TRrange within which anonymity is not required, wherein the TR range isdefined by the EM;

a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises:determining the MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at theTAC level when the TR is within a TR range within which anonymity isrequired, the MME sending the TAC of the UE to the TCE; determining theMDT measurements are not to be reported anonymously when the TR iswithin a TR range within which anonymity is not required, the MMEsending the IMSI or the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE.

Preferably, the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises: a TR whichis obtained from a message sent by an EM;

the method may further comprises: obtaining, by the MME, a TR rangewithin which anonymity is required, a TR range within which anonymity isnot required and a TR range within which both two types of identitiesare to be reported from a message, wherein the TR ranges are defined byan EM;

a functioning rule of the MDT data anonymity configuration comprises:determining the MDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at theTAC level when the TR is within the TR range within which anonymity isrequired, the MME sending the TAC of the UE to the TCE; determining theMDT measurements are not to be reported anonymously when the TR iswithin a TR range within which anonymity is not required, the MMEsending the IMSI or the IMEISV of the UE to the TCE; determining the twotypes of identities are to be reported when the TR is within the TRrange within which both two types of identities are to be reported, theMME sending the TAC and the IMSI of the UE or the TAC and the IMEISV ofthe UE to the TCE.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In view of the foregoing technical schemes, according to the method ofanonymously reporting MDT measurements provided by the presentinvention, the MME obtains MDT data anonymity configuration, sends a UEidentification to the TCE according to the MDT data anonymityconfiguration, thus the MME is able to send different identifications ofthe UE to the TCE according to different requirements for anonymity, andtherefore anonymous report of MDT measurements is implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a system structure of SAE accordingto the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a structure of a management-based MDTaccording to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of initiating amanagement-based MDT according to the prior art.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment one of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment two of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment three of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment four of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment five of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements according to embodiment six of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is hereinafter further described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings as well as embodiments so as tomake the objective, technical solution and merits thereof more apparent.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements. According to the method, an MME firstlyobtains MDT data anonymity configuration information, and sends anidentification of a UE to a TCE according to the MDT data anonymityconfigurations.

The MDT data anonymity configuration information may be obtained from aneNB or an EM.

The MDT anonymity configuration information is for indicating whetherMDT measurements are to be reported anonymously at the TAC level; if theanonymity configuration indicates the MDT measurements are to bereported anonymously at the TAC level, the MME sends the TAC of the UEas the identification of the UE to the TCE; otherwise, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV of the UE as the identification of the UE to the TCE.

Seven examples are hereinafter described to further illustrate thepresent invention.

Example One

Example one illustrates a method of an eNB reporting anonymityindication information to an MME, and the method implements anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements. The process of this example is based on theprocess shown in FIG. 3 with modifications to procedures in blocks 306and 307 of FIG. 3. The new procedures of the blocks 306 and 307 aredescribed in this example, and the other blocks are the same withcorresponding blocks in FIG. 3 which have been described in the abovebackground part, thus are not described further herein. FIG. 4 is aflowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymously reporting MDTmeasurements according to embodiment one of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 4, the method may include the following procedures.

In block 401, an eNB sends a cell traffic trace message to an MME. Thecell traffic trace message may include an anonymity indicator which isset by the eNB based on a work mode and MDT data anonymity informationin the MDT configuration information sent by the EM in block 302.

The work mode may include: Immediate MDT only, Logged MDT only, Traceonly and Immediate MDT and Trace. The MDT data anonymity information maybe configured to be any of two anonymity levels, i.e., TAC-levelanonymity and full anonymity.

Based on the work mode and the MDT data anonymity information, the eNBmay configure the anonymity indicator. The anonymity indicator may beconfigured in the following two manners.

Manner one, whether anonymity is applied to MDT data can be determinedbased on whether the cell traffic trace message includes the anonymityindicator. The cell traffic trace message includes the anonymityindicator indicates anonymity is applied to the MDT data, and the MMEsends the TAC to the TCE; the cell traffic trace message does notinclude the anonymity indicator indicates anonymity is not configured,and the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE. If the MDT data anonymityis full anonymity, the eNB is not to send the cell traffic trace messageto the MME.

Manner two, whether TAC-level anonymity is configured for MDT data isindicated by different values of the anonymity indicator (anonymity, noanonymity).

After receiving the cell traffic trace message, the MME determines whichidentification is to be sent by the TCE based on the anonymity indicatorin the cell traffic trace message. If anonymity is configured, the MMEobtains the TAC from the IMEI, and sends the TAC to the TCE. Ifanonymity is not configured, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.The detailed manner of configuring the anonymity indicator is as shownin Table 1.

When the work mode is Immediate MDT and Trace, and the MDT dataanonymity is configured to be TAC-level anonymity, the situation iscomplicated because Trace requires the MME to send IMSI/IMEISV to theTCE while MDT requires the MME to send the TAC to the TCE. Therefore theeNB needs to make a decision as to whether Trace has priority or MDT haspriority. In order to make the eNB make a sole decision for the samesituations, a judging rule can be pre-defined for the eNB, e.g. if it ispredefined that requirements of Trace should be firstly satisfied, theeNB instructs the MME to send the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE via theanonymity indicator; if it is predefined that requirements of MDT shouldbe firstly satisfied, the eNB instructs the MME to send the TAC to theTCE via the anonymity indicator. The following Table 1 takes Traceenjoys the priority as an example, and the eNB acts as follows.

Corresponding to the Above Method 1:

When the work mode is Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT only, and the MDTdata anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the MME needs to sendthe TAC to the TCE. In this case, the eNB loads an anonymity indicatorinto the cell traffic trace message to be sent to the MME to instructthe MME to send the TAC to the TCE.

When the MDT data anonymity is set to be full anonymity, the MME doesnot have to send any identification of the UE to the TCE, thus the eNBdoes not send any cell traffic trace message to the MME.

For other situations, there is no need to perform anonymous report, andthe cell traffic trace message sent by the eNB to the MME does notinclude any anonymity indicator, so that the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISVto the TCE.

Corresponding to the Above Method 2:

When the work mode is Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT only, and the MDTdata anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the anonymity indicatorin the cell traffic trace message to be sent to the MME by the eNB isset to be “anonymity”, and the MME needs to send the TAC to the TCE.

If the MDT data anonymity is full anonymity, the eNB sends no celltraffic trace message to the MME.

In other situations, the anonymity indicator in the cell traffic tracemessage to be sent by the MME by the eNB is set to be “no anonymity”,and the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

TABLE 1 Work mode MDT data Method 1 is adopted Method 2 is adoptedanonymity in- by the eNB for by the eNB for formation setting thesetting the anonymity indicator anonymity indicator Any mode MDT data Noanonymity No anonymity anonymity is set as indicator, the eNB indicator,the eNB full anonymity sends no cell traffic sends no cell traffic tracemessage to the trace message to the MME MME Any mode No MDT data Celltraffic trace Anonymity indicator anonymity is set message includes nois set to be “no anonymity indicator anonymity” Trace only Since it'sTrace, no Cell traffic trace Anonymity indicator MDT data messageincludes no is set to be “no anonymity is set anonymity indicatoranonymity” Immediate MDT MDT data Cell traffic trace Anonymity indicatoronly anonymity is set to message includes an is set to be be TAC-levelanonymity indicator “anonymity” anonymity Logged MDT only MDT data Celltraffic trace Anonymity indicator anonymity is set to message includesan is set to be be TAC-level anonymity indicator “anonymity” anonymityImmediate MDT MDT data Cell traffic trace Anonymity indicator and Traceanonymity is set to message includes no is set to be “no be TAC-levelanonymity indicator anonymity” anonymity

If it is pre-defined that anonymity requirements of MDT is firstlysatisfied, the eNB acts as the follows.

Corresponding to the Above Method 1:

When the work mode is in connection with MDT, e.g., Immediate MDT onlyor Logged MDT only or Immediate MDT only and Trace, and the MDT dataanonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the cell traffic tracemessage to be sent to the MME by the eNB includes an anonymityindicator, and the MME needs to send the TAC to the TCE.

When the MDT data anonymity is set to be full anonymity, the MME doesnot have to send any identification of the UE to the TCE, thus the eNBdoes not send any cell traffic trace message to the MME.

For other situations, i.e. the work mode is Trace, there is no need toperform anonymous report, and the cell traffic trace message sent by theeNB to the MME does not include any anonymity indicator, so that the MMEsends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Corresponding to the Above Method 2:

When the work mode is in connection with MDT, e.g., Immediate MDT onlyor Logged MDT only or Immediate MDT only and Trace, and the MDT dataanonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the anonymity indicator inthe cell traffic trace message to be sent to the MME by the eNB is setto be “anonymity”, and the MME sends the TAC to the TCE.

If the MDT data anonymity is full anonymity, the eNB sends no celltraffic trace message to the MME.

In other situations, the anonymity indicator in the cell traffic tracemessage to be sent by the MME by the eNB is set to be “no anonymity”,and the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

In block 402, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message from theeNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE and theanonymity indicator. Based on the different configuration of theanonymity indicator, the MME may act as follows. For example:

if the eNB sets the anonymity indicator according to the method 1, afterreceiving the cell traffic trace message,

if the message includes no anonymity indicator, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the message includes an anonymity indicator, the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the eNB sets the anonymity indicator according to the method 2, afterreceiving the cell traffic trace message,

if the anonymity indicator is set to be “no anonymity”, the MME sendsthe IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the anonymity indicator is set to be “anonymity”, the MME obtains theTAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE.

In the above block 401, when the work mode is Immediate MDT and Trace,and the MDT data anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, apre-defined rule is adopted by the eNB for determine whether to firstlysatisfy the anonymity requirements of Trace or MDT. Supposing both therequirements of Trace and MDT need to be satisfied, the eNB mayinstructs the MME to send both the TAC and the INSI/IMEISV to the TCEvia the anonymity indicator. Specifically, the following method may beadopted.

When the work mode is Immediate MDT only or Logged MDT only, and the MDTdata anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the anonymity indicatorin the cell traffic trace message to be sent to the MME by the eNB isset to be “anonymity”, and the MME needs to send the TAC to the TCE.

When the work mode is Immediate MDT and Trace, and the MDT dataanonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the anonymity indicator inthe cell traffic trace message to be sent to the MME by the eNB is setto be “both two types of identifications are needed”, and the MME sendsthe TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

When the MDT data anonymity is full anonymity, the eNB sends no celltraffic trace message to the MME.

In other situations, the anonymity indicator in the cell traffic tracemessage to be sent by the MME by the eNB is set to be “no anonymity”,and the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE. Or, in other situations,there is no need to perform anonymous report, and the cell traffic tracemessage sent by the eNB to the MME does not include any anonymityindicator, so that the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

In block 402, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message from theeNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE and theanonymity indicator. Based on the different configuration of theanonymity indicator, the MME may act as follows.

If the anonymity indicator in the message is set to be “anonymity”, theMME obtains the TAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE.

If the anonymity indicator in the message is set to be “both twoidentifications are needed”, the MME sends the TAC and the IMSI/IMEISVto the TCE.

If the anonymity indicator in the message is set to be “no anonymity” orthe message includes no anonymity indicator, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Example Two

Example two illustrates a method of an eNB reporting an MDT type to anMME, and the method implements anonymously reporting MDT measurements.The process of this example is based on the process shown in FIG. 3 withmodifications to procedures in blocks 306 and 307 of FIG. 3. The newprocedures of the blocks 306 and 307 are described in this example, andthe other blocks are the same with corresponding blocks in FIG. 3 whichhave been described in the above background part, thus are not describedfurther herein. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a signaling processof anonymously reporting MDT measurements according to embodiment two ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the method may include thefollowing procedures.

In block 501, an eNB sends a cell traffic trace message to an MME. Threetypes of the work mode in the MDT configuration information sent by theEM in block 302 are in connection with MDT, and those types of work modeare referred to as MDT type. The work mode configured by the EM may beany of: Immediate MDT only, Logged MDT only, Trace only and ImmediateMDT and Trace. Among the above work modes, three of them, i.e., theImmediate MDT only, the Logged MDT only and the Immediate MDT and Tracebelong to MDT type. When the MDT data anonymity is set to be TAC-levelanonymity, the eNB loads the MDT type into the cell traffic tracemessage to be sent to the MME. If the MDT data anonymity is set to befull anonymity, the eNB sends no cell traffic trace message.

As shown in Table 2, the eNB may act as follows.

When the MDT data anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity, the eNBsends the MDT type to the MME.

When the MDT data anonymity is full anonymity, the eNB sends no celltraffic trace message to the MME.

TABLE 2 MDT data anonymity The MDT type set by the Work mode informationeNB in this block Any type MDT data anonymity is The eNB sends no celltraffic trace to set as full anonymity the MME Any type No MDT dataanonymity Cell traffic trace message includes no is set MDT type. Traceonly Since its Trace, no MDT Cell traffic trace message includes no dataanonymity is set MDT type Immediate MDT data anonymity is Cell traffictrace message includes an MDT only set to be TAC-level MDT type which isset as “Immediate anonymity MDT only” Logged MDT MDT data anonymity isCell traffic trace message includes an only set to be TAC-level MDT typewhich is set as “Logged anonymity MDT only”. Immediate MDT dataanonymity is Cell traffic trace message includes an MDT and set to beTAC-level MDT type which is set as “Immediate Trace anonymity MDT andTrace”

In block 502, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message from theeNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE and theMDT type. The MME may perform the following actions based on the MDTtype:

if the message includes no MDT type, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV tothe TCE;

if the MDT type is set as “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only”, theMME obtains the TAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the MDT type is set as “Immediate MDT and Trace”, the Trace requiresthe MME to send the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE while the MDT requires theMME to send the TAC to the TCE, thus the MME needs to decide whichidentification is to be sent to the TCE. The identification of the UE tobe sent by the MME may be specifically defined. For example, it may bespecified that the MME should send the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE, or thatthe MME should send the TAC to the TCE, or that both identificationsshould be sent. Based on the pre-defined rule, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV, or the TAC, or the TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Example Three

Example three illustrates a method of an eNB reporting a work mode or anMDT type and an anonymity indicator to an MME, and the method implementsanonymously reporting MDT measurements. The process of this example isbased on the process shown in FIG. 3 with modifications to procedures inblocks 306 and 307 of FIG. 3. The new procedures of the blocks 306 and307 are described in this example, and the other blocks are the samewith corresponding blocks in FIG. 3 which have been described in theabove background part, thus are not described further herein. FIG. 6 isa flowchart illustrating a signaling process of anonymously reportingMDT measurements according to embodiment three of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 6, the method may include the following procedures.

In block 601, an eNB sends a cell traffic trace message to an MME. TheeNB obtains the MDT configuration information which includes the workmode and the MDT data anonymity information sent by the EM in block 302.The eNB sends the work mode and the MDT anonymity information to the MMEin a cell traffic trace message, or sends the MDT type and the MDTanonymity information to the MME in a cell traffic trace message.

The MDT type is those work modes in connection with MDT, i.e., the MDTImmediate MDT only, Logged MDT only and Immediate MDT and Trace. The MDTanonymity information is set according to the MDT data anonymityinformation set in block 302. When the MDT data anonymity is set to beTAC-level anonymity, the message in block 601 includes the MDT anonymityinformation. When the MDT configuration in block 302 sets no MDT dataanonymity information, the message in block 601 includes no MDTanonymity information. Alternatively, the MDT anonymity information inblock 601 may be set as “Yes” indicating the MDT data anonymity isTAC-level anonymity, or “No” indicating no MDT data anonymity is not setin the MDT configuration information.

In block 602, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message sent bythe eNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE, thework mode and the MDT anonymity information, or includes the TR, theTRSR, the IP address of the TCE, the MDT type and the MDT anonymityinformation.

When the message includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE,the work mode and the MDT anonymity information, according to the workmode and the MDT anonymity information, the MME may act as follows:

if the message includes no MDT anonymity information or the work mode is“Trace only”, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the work mode is “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only” and themessage includes the MDT anonymity, the MME obtains the TAC from theIMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the work mode is “Immediate MDT and Trace” and the message includesthe MDT anonymity information, similar to that in the above examples, itis useful to pre-define which identification of the UE should be sent bythe MME to the TCE; if requirements of the Trace should be firstlysatisfied, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE; if the requirementsof the MDT should be firstly satisfied, the MME sends the TAC to theTCE; if requirements of both the Trace and MDT should be satisfied, bothtypes of identifications are to be sent, and the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Or,

if MDT anonymity information in the message is set as “No” or the workmode is “Trace only”, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the work mode is “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only” and theMDT anonymity in the message is set as “Yes”, the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the work mode is “Immediate MDT and Trace” and the MDT anonymityinformation in the message is set as “Yes”, similar to that in the aboveexamples, it is useful to pre-define which identification of the UEshould be sent by the MME to the TCE; if requirements of the Traceshould be firstly satisfied, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;if the requirements of the MDT should be firstly satisfied, the MMEsends the TAC to the TCE; if requirements of both the Trace and MDTshould be satisfied, both types of identifications are to be sent, andthe MME obtains the TAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC and theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Or,

When the message includes the TR, the TRSR, the IP address of the TCE,the MDT type and the MDT anonymity information, based on the MDT typeand the MDT anonymity information, the MME may act as follows:

if the message includes no MDT anonymity information, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only” and themessage includes the MDT anonymity, the MME obtains the TAC from theIMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT and Trace” and the message includesthe MDT anonymity information, similar to that in the above examples, itis useful to pre-define which identification of the UE should be sent bythe MME to the TCE; if requirements of the Trace should be firstlysatisfied, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE; if the requirementsof the MDT should be firstly satisfied, the MME sends the TAC to theTCE; if requirements of both the Trace and MDT should be satisfied, bothtypes of identifications are to be sent, and the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Or,

if the MDT anonymity information in the message is set to be “No”, theMME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only” and the MDTanonymity in the message is set as “Yes”, the MME obtains the TAC fromthe IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT and Trace” and the MDT anonymityinformation in the message is set as “Yes”, similar to that in the aboveexamples, it is useful to pre-define which identification of the UEshould be sent by the MME to the TCE; if requirements of the Traceshould be firstly satisfied, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;if the requirements of the MDT should be firstly satisfied, the MMEsends the TAC to the TCE; if requirements of both the Trace and MDTshould be satisfied, both types of identifications are to be sent, andthe MME obtains the TAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC and theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Example Four

Example four illustrates a method of an EM reporting an MDT anonymityindicator to an MME, and the method implements anonymously reporting MDTmeasurements. The process of this example is based on the process shownin FIG. 3 with modifications to procedures in block 307 of FIG. 3, andadds a new procedure between blocks 302 and 307. The other blocks arethe same with conventional scheme and have been described in FIG. 3,thus are not described further herein. FIG. 7 is a flowchartillustrating a signaling process of anonymously reporting MDTmeasurements according to embodiment four of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 7, the method may include the following procedures.

In block 701, an EM sends an MDT data anonymity indication message whichincludes a TR and an anonymity indicator to an MME.

The method of setting the anonymity indicator is the same with thatdescribed in Table 1 and block 401. This procedure may be performedafter the procedure in block 302 of FIG. 3 is performed and before theprocedure in block 307 is performed. The EM may adopt two methods forconveying the data anonymity information.

Method 1 conveys the data anonymity information by whether or not tosend the message. If the MDT data anonymity indication message is sent,it means the MDT data anonymity is TAC-level anonymity, and the MME isto send the TAC to the TCE. If the MDT data anonymity indication messageis not sent, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE. The message mayat least include the TR.

Method 2 conveys the data anonymity information via the anonymityindicator. When the anonymity indicator is set to be “anonymity”, theMME sends the TAC to the TCE; when the anonymity indicator is set to be“no anonymity”, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

In block 702, after receiving an MDT measurement report, the eNB sends acell traffic trace message which includes the TR, the TRSR and the IPaddress of the TCE to the MME.

In block 703, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message from theeNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, and the IP address of the TCE.Based on the MDT data anonymity set in block 701, the MME may act asfollows.

Corresponding to the Above Method 1:

if the MME does not receive the message of block 701, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the MME receives the message of block 701, the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE.

Corresponding to the above method 2, when receiving the MDT dataanonymity indicator message sent in block 701,

if the anonymity indicator is set to be “no anonymity”, the MME sendsthe IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

If the anonymity indicator is set to be “anonymity”, the MME obtains theTAC from the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE.

Example Five

Example five illustrates a method of an EM reporting an MDT type to anMME, and the method implements anonymously reporting MDT measurements.The process of this example is based on the process shown in FIG. 3 withmodifications to procedures in block 307 of FIG. 3, and adds a newprocedure between blocks 302 and 307. The other blocks are the same withconventional scheme and have been described in FIG. 3, thus are notdescribed further herein. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a signalingprocess of anonymously reporting MDT measurements according toembodiment five of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the methodmay include the following procedures.

In block 801, an EM sends an MDT configuration message which includes aTR and an MDT type to an MME.

The method of setting the anonymity indicator is the same with thatdescribed in Table 2 of block 501. The EM may perform the same actionswith those described in block 701. This procedure may be performed afterthe block 302 in FIG. 3 is performed and before block 307 is performed.

In block 802, after receiving an MDT measurement report, the eNB sends acell traffic trace message which includes the TR, the TRSR and the IPaddress of the TCE to the MME.

In block 803, the MME receives the cell traffic trace message from theeNB which includes the TR, the TRSR, and the IP address of the TCE.Based on the MDT type set in block 801, the MME may act as follows:

if the MME does not receive the message sent in block 801, the MME sendsthe IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the MDT type in the message sent in block 801 is set as “ImmediateMDT only” or “Logged MDT only”, the MME obtains the TAC from the IMEIand sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the MDT type in the message sent in block 801 is set to be “ImmediateMDT and Trace”, according to a pre-defined rule, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE, or sends the TAC to the TCE, or sends bothidentifications, i.e., the MME obtains the TAC from the IMEI, and sendsthe TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Example Six

Example six illustrates a method of an EM reporting an MDT type and anMDT anonymity indicator to an MME, and the method implements anonymouslyreporting MDT measurements. The process of this example is based on theprocess shown in FIG. 3 with modifications to procedures in block 307 ofFIG. 3, and adds a new procedure between blocks 302 and 307. The otherblocks are the same with conventional scheme and have been described inFIG. 3, thus are not described further herein. FIG. 9 is a flowchartillustrating a signaling process of anonymously reporting MDTmeasurements according to embodiment six of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 9, the method may include the following procedures.

In block 901, an EM sends an MDT configuration message which includes aTR, an MDT type and an MDT anonymity indicator to an MME.

The method of setting the MDT type is the same with that described inblock 601. When the MDT data anonymity is set to be TAC-level anonymity,the message sent in block 901 includes the MDT anonymity indicator. Ifthe MDT data anonymity is not configured or is configured to be fullanonymity, the message sent in block 901 does not include the MDTanonymity indicator. This procedure may be performed after the block 302in FIG. 3 is performed and before block 307 is performed.

In block 902, after receiving an MDT measurement report, the eNB sends acell traffic trace message which includes the TR, the TRSR and the IPaddress of the TCE to the MME.

In block 903, after receiving the cell traffic trace message sent by theeNB, based on the MDT type and the MDT anonymity indicator, the MME mayact as follows:

if the message includes no MDT anonymity indicator, the MME sends theIMSI/IMEISV to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT only” or “Logged MDT only” and themessage includes the MDT anonymity indicator, the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC to the TCE;

if the MDT type is “Immediate MDT and Trace” and the message includesthe MDT anonymity indicator, similar to that in the above examples, itis useful to pre-define which identification of the UE should be sent bythe MME to the TCE; if requirements of the Trace should be firstlysatisfied, the MME sends the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE; if the requirementsof the MDT should be firstly satisfied, the MME sends the TAC to theTCE; if requirements of both the Trace and MDT should be satisfied, bothtypes of identifications are to be sent, and the MME obtains the TACfrom the IMEI and sends the TAC and the IMSI/IMEISV to the TCE.

Example Seven

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method which indicateswhether the MME performs anonymous reporting by defining different TRranges. Since the TR is generated by the EM, the EM may configuredifferent TR ranges. The TR may allocate a TR within one TR range for anMDT type requiring anonymity, and allocate another TR within another TRrange for a work mode requiring no anonymity. Alternatively, the rangeof TR may be divided into three TR ranges, one for a work mode requiringanonymous reporting, one for a work mode not requiring anonymousreporting, and one for a work mode requiring reporting bothidentifications of the UE. This example takes dividing the TR into twoTR ranges as an example. When the TR is divided into three or more TRranges, the procedures can be obtained by performing simplereplacements, and are not described further herein. Since it is the MMEthat reports the identification of the UE, the EM needs to inform theMME of the information of the ranges. The method may include thefollowing procedures.

In block 1, an EM divides TR value range into different rangesincluding: a TR range requiring anonymity and a TR range not requiringanonymity, and allocates TR from different TR ranges for different workmodes for indicating whether the MME is to perform anonymous reporting.The EM sends a Trace activation request which includes the TR, the workmode and MDT data anonymity information to an eNB.

The EM divides the TR value range into two ranges. A TR in one of thetwo ranges indicates anonymity is required, and this range is referredto as range A; while a TR in the other of the two ranges indicatesanonymity is not required, and this range is referred to as range B.

If the work mode is Immediate MDT or Logged MDT, the EM selects a valueas the TR to be sent in the Trace activation request from the TR rangerequiring anonymity, i.e., range A.

If the work mode is Trace, the EM selects a value as the TR to be sentin the Trace activation request from the TR range not requiringanonymity, i.e., range B.

If the work mode is Immediate MDT and Trace, a pre-defined rule isadopted for the judgment. If it is pre-defined that requirements of theTrace should be satisfied, the EM selects a value from the range B asthe TR to be sent in the Trace activation request; if it is pre-definedthat requirements of the MDT should be satisfied, the EM selects a valuefrom the range A as the TR to be sent in the Trace activation request.

In block 2, the EM informs the MME of the TR ranges.

In this block, the EM may send a message to the MME for informing theMME of the TR ranges. The message may include the TR range requiringanonymity, e.g., include a head TR and a tail TR of the TR range, andTRs within this range are deemed by the MME to be requiring anonymousreporting. Or, the message may include the TR range not requiringanonymity. Or, the TR range requiring anonymity and the TR range notrequiring anonymity are both included in the message. After receivingthe cell traffic trace message sent by the eNB, based on the TR in thecell traffic trace message and the TR range received in block 2, the MMEsends the TAC to the TCE if the TR in the cell traffic trace message iswithin the TR range requiring anonymity, or sends the IMSI/IMEISV to theTCE if the TR in the cell traffic trace message is not within the TRrange requiring anonymity.

It should be noted that according to the prior art, if the MDT dataanonymity information is configured to be full anonymity, the eNB doesnot send the cell traffic trace message to the MME, and the MME does notsend any identification of the UE to the TCE. And embodiments of thepresent invention conform to this rule. Therefore, although in the aboveembodiments of the present invention, the eNB all sends a cell traffictrace message to the MME, but it does not mean the eNB always sends themessage. It merely explains the method of informing the MME of whichidentification of the UE is to be sent to the TCE when the eNB needs tosend the cell traffic trace message.

In view of the foregoing examples, according to the method ofanonymously reporting MDT measurements provided by the presentinvention, the MME obtains MDT data anonymity configuration, sends a UEidentification to the TCE according to the MDT data anonymityconfiguration, thus the MME is able to send different identifications ofthe UE to the TCE according to different requirements for anonymity, andtherefore anonymous report of MDT measurements is implemented.

On the other hand, as not illustrated in any Figs, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that each of the MME, and the TCPmay includes a receiver, a controller, and a transmitter. It will beassumed that the receiver, the controller, and the transmitter includedin each of the MME and the TCE may be implemented as separate units,however it is possible that the receiver, the controller, and thetransmitter included in each of the MME, and the TCE may be incorporatedinto a single unit.

The foregoing are only preferred examples of the present disclosure andare not for use in limiting the protection scope thereof. Allmodifications, equivalent replacements or improvements in accordancewith the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall beincluded in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method by a base station (BS) in awireless communication system, the method comprising: determiningwhether an anonymization of minimization of drive test (MDT) data isrequied; generating a cell traffic trace message including an indicatorindicating the anonymization of the MDT data if the anonymization of theMDT data is required; and transmitting, to a mobility management entity(MME), the generated cell traffic trace message, wherein a typeallocation code (TAC) of a terminal is transmitted by the MME to a tracecollection entity (TCE) if the cell traffic trace message includes theindicator.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein an international mobilesubscriber identification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipmentidentity and software version (IMEISV) of the terminal is transmitted bythe MME to the TCE if the cell traffic trace message does not includethe indicator.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell traffic tracemessage includes at least one of: an S1 application protocol (AP)identification (ID) identifying the terminal in the BS, an S1 AP IDidentifying the terminal in the MME, an internet protocol (IP) addressof the TCE, a trace reference (TR), or a trace recording sessionreference (TRSR).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicatorincludes information on an immediate MDT or a logged MDT.
 5. The methodof claim 3, wherein the TAC is transmitted with at least one of the TRSRand the TR.
 6. A base station (BS) in a wireless communication system,the BS comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and receivesignals; and a controller configured to: determine whether ananonymization of minimization of drive test (MDT) data is required,generate a cell traffic trace message including an indicator indicatingthe anonymization of the MDT data if the anonymization of the MDT datais required, and transmit, to a mobility management entity (MME), thegenerated cell traffic trace message, wherein a type allocation code(TAC) of a terminal is transmitted by the MME to a trace collectionentity (TCE) if the cell traffic trace message includes the indicator.7. The BS of claim 6, wherein an international mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity andsoftware version (IMEISV) of the terminal is transmitted by the MME tothe TCE if the cell traffic trace message does not include theindicator.
 8. The BS of claim 6, wherein the cell traffic trace messageincludes at least one: of an Si application protocol (AP) identification(ID) identifying the terminal in the BS, an Si AP ID identifying theterminal in the MME, an internet protocol (IP) address of the TCE, atrace reference (TR), or a trace recording session reference (TRSR). 9.The BS of claim 6, wherein the indicator includes information on animmediate MDT or a logged MDT.
 10. The BS of claim 8, wherein the TAC istransmitted with at least one of the TRSR or the TR.
 11. A method by amobility management entity (MME) in a wireless communication system, themethod comprising: receiving, from a base station (BS), a cell traffictrace message; identifying whether the cell traffic trace messageincludes an indicator indicating anonymization of minimization of drivetest (MDT) data; and transmitting, to a trace collection entity (TCE), atype allocation code (TAC) of a terminal if the cell traffic tracemessage includes the indicator.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising transmitting, to the TCE, an international mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity andsoftware version (IMEISV) of the terminal if the cell traffic tracemessage does not include the indicator.
 13. The method of claim 11,wherein the cell traffic trace message includes at least one of: an Siapplication protocol (AP) identification (ID) identifying the terminalin the BS, an S1 AP ID identifying the terminal in the MME, an internetprotocol (IP) address of the TCE, a trace reference (TR), or a tracerecording session reference (TRSR).
 14. The method of claim 11, whereinthe indicator includes information on an immediate MDT or a logged MDT.15. The method of claim 13, wherein the TAC is transmitted with at leastone of the TRSR or the TR.
 16. A mobility management entity (MME) in awireless communication system, the MME comprising: a transceiverconfigured to transmit and receive signals; and a controller configuredto: receive, from a base station (BS), a cell traffic trace message,identify whether the cell traffic trace message includes an indicatorindicating an anonymization of minimization of drive test (MDT) data,and transmit, to a trace collection entity (TCE), a type allocation code(TAC) of a terminal if the cell traffic trace message includes theindicator.
 17. The MME of claim 16, wherein the controller furtherconfigured to transmit, to the TCE, an international mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI) or an international mobile equipment identity andsoftware version (IMEISV) of the terminal if the cell traffic tracemessage does not include the indicator.
 18. The MME of claim 16, whereinthe cell traffic trace message includes at least one of: an S1application protocol (AP) identification (ID) identifying the terminalin the BS, an S1 AP ID identifying the terminal in the MME, an internetprotocol (IP) address of the TCE, a trace reference (TR), or a tracerecording session reference (TRSR).
 19. The MME of claim 16, wherein theindicator includes information on an immediate MDT or a logged MDT. 20.The MME of claim 18, wherein the TAC is transmitted with at least one ofthe TRSR or the TR.